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All drummers know that feeling when you first sit behind the kit. There’s an empowering energy that you’re in control now, in position to play your heart out, whether that means brushing out jazzy rhythms, busting out a solo for the crowd, or thrashing until the downstairs neighbors complain. Building your kit and making it your own can be a years-long, customizable evolution in itself, as your playing (and gear) continue to get better and better. But whether you’re just starting out or have already found your groove, when it comes to what holds up your crash, splash, ride, and beyond, it’s best to keep your cymbal stands simple.
What You Need to Know About Cymbal Stands
Drumming is about self-expression, letting loose, and most importantly having fun. And nothing stops the beat like a wobbly, unbalanced cymbal stand. You want to be able to play freely, without worrying about your cymbals toppling over in the middle of a song or jam session. A crash that literally crashes into your kit every time it’s hit isn’t just annoying, it’ll take you right out of the moment and even throw off your bandmates too.
“When you buy a cymbal stand, you want to look at three factors: sturdiness, positioning flexibility, and weight, says Arafat Kazi, Boston-based drummer for The Attempted Band, who just played to 50,000 fans at Bangladesh’s Joy Bangla festival. “It’s always a balance of the three.”
According to Kazi, “Vintage style stands are usually lighter, but you can’t just put your cymbals anywhere you want. Heavy duty ones are durable and maneuverable, but tend to be inconvenient to carry around. And there are extra features [to consider] like memory locks, cymbal locks, and so on.”
To find the right cymbal stand for you, it’s important to first know how you’ll primarily be using it. Ask yourself a few questions, such as:
Are you a hobby drummer just jamming out at home occasionally with friends? Or will you be working your way up to playing professionally?
Will you be recording on other peoples’ (or your own) tracks?
Do you plan to keep your kit mostly at home, or move it around to various studios, gigs, and bandmates’ houses?
Just like finding the right rhythm to a new song, your cymbal stand should feel like a natural and comfortable part of your setup and playing style. We’ve selected a few top picks to get you started below.
Learning the drums is a lifelong journey. Take a look and see which cymbal stands are up for the ride.
